Citrine Cluster, from Brazil (No.19)

Citrine is a silicon dioxide mineral, a member of the Quartz group, it’s crystal system is trigonal and it’s yellow pigmentation is derived from iron.

It varies in shade from very pale yellow to a deep amber, nearly orange, with some specimens exhibiting brownish tinges.

The name Citrine comes from the French word citron, meaning lemon. Citrine was used as a gem in Greece and Rome through the first and second centuries A.D.

Much of the commercial Citrine on the market is heat-treated Amethyst. In general, the deep amber and orangish shades are heat treated. Natural Citrine’s are mostly a pale yellow colour. Deposit of natural Citrine have been found in Brazil, Africa, Madagascar, Spain, Russia, France, Scotland and the USA.